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Well-known motoring enthusiast Jeremy Clarkson has named the Toyota GT86 as his Car of the Year 2012.

The controversial Top Gear host went against the norm when selecting which vehicle stood out for him over the past 12 months, opting for value and performance over a car which would break the bank but packs in plenty of power.

In picking the Toyota GT86, Clarkson found that the vehicle is the perfect tonic for having fun in a reasonably priced car. On top of this, the motor was praised for re-educating fans of hot hatches about the thrills of rear-wheel drive.

The motoring critic stated in the Awards issue of the Top Gear magazine: “I like the GT86 because it’s come barrelling into the bottom end of the marketplace with a big dirty smile on its face and a suggestion in the way it stands that it wants to have fun with your middle parts.

“It’s a car designed for one thing only: fun.”

Drivers have plenty to admire about the Toyota GT86. For one, the vehicle’s 200 DIN hp 2.0-litre boxer engine is capable of enabling the car to hit 62mph from rest in just 7.6 seconds.

On top of this, motorists who are looking to protect the environment with their next set of wheels will be pleased to hear that the GT86 can return 39.8mpg and limit CO2 emissions to just 164g/km.

The vehicle is also a sight to admire, thanks to its exterior coming packed with 17-inch lightweight alloy wheels, striking bi-xenon headlamps and the option of either a metallic or pearlescent paintjob.

Head inside the Toyota GT86 and drivers will be able to get comfortable in an instant in stylish sports seats, while admiring the car’s leather steering wheel and the innovative Toyota Touch Multimedia dashboard system.